Releasable internally expanding hose coupling



Patented Mar. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES RELEASABLE INTERNALLY EXPANDING HOSE COUPLING lAlbert J. 'sc-haltes, Baltimore, Ma

Application Julyv 14.

I. 8 Claims.

The :present invention relates to hose cou'- plingys, and has for an object to provide an internally expanding coupling which is releasable and removable, and nay. repeatedly be used upon the wearing out of hose section, and other- `wise where removal is desired.

This invention is an improvement over my prior patent for an Interlocking hose coupling and sealiNo. 2,059,040, granted October 27, 1936, and is adapted particularly to.rubber hose capable of expansion and compression, and embodies a coupling which isnot permanent Iin that it does not depend upon the use of expanding tools for permanently deforming the inner part of the coupling to hold it to the hose, but which has cooperating parts includingl expanding means' which works only upon the hose itself to expand the hose into the coupling to seal and secure the coupling thereto, and which may be released to free the hose from the coupling.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hose coupling of this type comprising relatively few parts and which has an outer sleeve or nut portion detachably `threaded to an inner or nipple portion so that the sleeve portion may be reversedupon the end of the nipple portion to facilitate the introduction of the nipple portion into the end of a pipe and to determine the correct initial position of the nipple in the hose.

v A further object of this invention is to provide a coupling with inner anduter members, an abutment wall for the extremity of the hose and `with an internal expander which not only expands the hose into this outer member, but also has' an endwise wedglng and compressing movement toward the abutment wall for squeezing and crowding the Yfree end of the hose into the l threads and other crevices within the outer member and about the inner member and against the abutment wall; with the result that the hose end is practically molded into the coupling members and firmly held and effectively sealed therein.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, -and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawing, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section taken through a horizontal coupling embodying the features of this invention and as initially applied to the end of a hose.

Figure 2 is a like view showing the coupling secured in final position on the hose.

1937, serai No. 153,631 (01285-82) Figure 3 is an outer end View of the coupling.

Figure 4 is a detail side elevation of one form of expanding means which may be used in the coupling, and

Figure 5 is a flat plan view of the expanding 5 means of Figure 4 laid out toshow the relation of the diagonal split and the intermediate diagonal slits for equalizng the expansion of the means.

The present invention is adapted for use in connection with a hose I0 which is of the usual type and capable of expansion and compression. The coupling comprises a nipple II adapted to be inserted in the end of the hose I0 and provided at its outer end portion with external threads I2 terminating in a rearwardly facing shoulder I3. The outer surface of the nipple II has an intermediate smooth or cylindrical portion I4 extending rearwardly from the shoulder I3 and terminating in a flared orl conical 20 rear end part or section I5. The conical section I5 terminates in an annular bead or shoulder I6, and the inner wall of the flared or conical part I5 may be correspondingly flared at the rear end of the nipple .to reduce objectionable obstructions in the hose and coupling so that Water and the like may freely flow therethrough.

Slidably mounted upon the intermediate or cylindrical portion I4 of the nipple is an expanding means Il. This expanding means may be of any suitable construction to accomplish the purpose, and in the present instance, as shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5, comprises a split flat ring of substantially the length of the cylindrical portion I 4 and which has a diagonal split I8 ex- 35 tending entirely through or across one side thereof from its forward edge rearwardly at an axial inclination substantially opposite the direction of the threads I2 of the nipple. The ring I'I also has a suitable number of slits I8 which are spaced about the ring to insure the uniform expansion thereof at all points, the slits I8 extending from the rear edge of the ring Il forwardly at substantially the same angle as the-split I8 but terminating a short distance from the forward edge of the ring I'I. 'I'he slits I8 and the split I Il admit of the ready expansion of the rear end of the ring I 'I to a greater degree than the front end of the ring so that the ring I1 may lay flat on and assume the angle of theconical rear end I5 of the nipple.

A The outer surface of the expansion ring I1 is provided with a plurality of annular grooves I9, or other suitable friction means, adapted to frictionally engage against the inner Wall of the rear end of the ring and the rear end of the conical section I5 are preferably correspondingly rounded so as to intert and provide a relatively smooth continuous surface portion for embedding inthe inner wall of the hose I0, as shown in Figure 2. f

A-n external sleeve or nut 2| is adapted to engage over the end of the hose II), and at its forward end `is provided with an abutting shoulder 22 for' engaging tlfe extremity vof the hose I0. Preferably, the shoulder 22 has an annular rib 23 at its innermarginal portion to insure the compression andsealing of thel inner layer of the hose which, in some instances, is -composed of synthetic rubber. The inner wall of the sleeve 2| llares rearwardly from the shoulder 22 for a considerable distance to provide a conical inner wall so as to gradually contract the free end of the hose I0 as the sleeve 2| is advanced over the hose, and to hold the free vend of the hose in contracted or compressed position about the nipple |I. The rear end of the sleeve 2| is preferably internally smooth and cylindrical to t tightly about the adjacent portion of the hose IIJ. The inner conical wall of the sleeve 2| .is

preferably provided with a spiral groove 24 increasing in depth toward the shoulder 22 and adapted to-engage in the outer surface portion of the hose -Ill to facilitate advancement of the sleeve 2| over the hose end and for holding the sleeve firmly, thereto, and also for the purpose of providing a suitable roughened and frictional surface for anchoring the hose in the sleeve when the hose is wedged and compressed therein.

The sleeve 2| is also provided with an attach- .ing spud,25 extending forwardly from the shoulder 22 and which is externally threaded for interengagement with a second coupling. The spud 25 is also provided with internal threads 26 adapted to engage and cooperate with the threads I2 of the nipple for axially advancing the nipple outwardly in the sleeve 2| upon the turning of the nipple in the sleeve.

In the preferred operation of the invention the nipple II is adapted to be turned within the sleeve and the end of.' the hose. This maybe Vaccomplished by a suitable expanding tool for engaging the inner Wall of the nipple I I with sufficient frictional contact to rotate the nipple. If desired, lugs orA projections 21 may be provided uponl the inner wall of vthe nipple adjacent its forward end to facilitate engagement of a tool with the nipple for turning the latter.

Before the coupling parts are applied to the end of the hose I0, the outer end of the nipple kII may be threaded a short distance into the outer end 28 of the spud 25 by reversing the po- "sition of the sleeve 2| with respect to the nipple 'from that shown inFigure 1. The sleeve 2| maythus serve as a handle for not only holding the nipple in position .and forcing the nipple into the open end of the hose I., but the outer end 28 of the spud provides a shoulder adapted to engage the extremity' of the hole I0 and limit the insertion of the nipple so that only the small portion of the nipple which is threaded into the bind the sa e' in said sleeve.

spud is left projecting from the hose after the outer end of the spud 25 has been unscrewed from 4 the outer end of the' nipple. Y y

.'Ihe sleeve 2l is now reversed in to its Icoupling position and is Vmoved up on the free end of the hose III as shown in Figure 1. This may be facilitated by screwing or turning the sleeve 2| so that the spiral groove 24, inthe inner wall of the sleeve, may take into the exterior surface of thehose I0 and advance or feed the sleeve 2| 10 into the position shown in Figure 1.

During the final turning of the sleeve 2|, in advancing the same over the hose III, the inner end of the threaded portion 26 of the spud 25 is screwed upon the outer projecting' end of the l5 nipple II. 'I'his is shown in Figure 1. During this time the expansion ring I1 is carried upon the cylindrical part I4 of the nipple and against the shoulder I3 thereof. The nipple II is now turned Within the spud 25 in a direction to ad- 20 Vance Vthe nipple axially outward in the spud and in the end of the hose.

The frictional contact of the ring I1 with the inner wall of the hose I0 is suicient to anchor the split ring I1 against axial movement with the nipple so that the inner 25 flaring end I5 of the nipple is gradually drawn into the rear end of the ring I1. This expands the ring I1 'so that in its nal position the ring I1 lies at upon the conical end I5 of the nipple and is held thereto bythe shoulder I6 and as- 30 sumes the conical shape of the end I5, slits I8' and the split I8 admitting of the necessary flaring or expansion of the rear portionof the ring I1. At the same time the outward movement of the nipple urges the ring I1 and its adjacent hose 35 portion forwardly Within the sleeve 2|.

As soon as the split ring I1 seats against'the stop shoulder I6, the ring I1 is in expanded condition upon the conical section I5 and Ais carried forwardly with the nipple. The expander or ring 40 I1 presents an outer conical surface on substantially the same angle as the conical or inclined inner wall of the sleeve 2|. ring I1 moves axially outward it contracts the As the expander or space between the ring I1 and the sleeve 2| and 45 compresses the hose into Aa neck portion between the ring and the sleeve, and with an outward thrust on the hose end which compresses the latter into intimate and sealing contact with all surfaces and crevices within the coupling .and 50 causes the material of theend of the hose to expand into an enlarged head portion shapedi to the configuration of the space between the' sleeve 2| and nipple forwardly of the ring I1.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may b e made in the details of construc. tion and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing' from the spirit thereof, such changes and modi-Y cations being restricted only by the scope of the 2go following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A releasable internally expanding hose coupling, comprising a nipple for insertion into the end of a hose, an external sleeve for engagement over and against the end of the hose and having a relatively axially movable connection with the nipple, and expanding means carried by the nipple for engagement against theinner wall of the hose and operable by the axial movement of the nipple in the sleeve and the hose to expand the hose and 2. A rele able internally expanding hose coupling.-` comprising a nipple for insertion into the end of a hose, an external sleeve for engagement A gagement with the outer end of the nipple andV i adapted to be turned up. thereon against the end of the hose, and an vexpanded member rotatably mounted on thenipple for frictional contact with the inner wall of the hose to expand the same in the sleeve upon the relative axial movement of the nipple with respect to the sleeve.

3. In a hose coupling, a sleeve for engagement about the end of a hose, a nipple for insertion in the end of the hose, said nipple adapted for movement relatively to the sleeve, and freely mounted expanding meanson the nipple to engage the in- .ner wall of the hose, said nipple having an expander part for engaging said expanding means to expand the same and the hose in the sleeve upon axial movement of the nipple.

4. A detachable hose coupling,l comprising nipple for insertion in the end of a hose and having a flaring portion at its inner end, an expansible element mounted on the nipple for slidable engagement thereon and over said flaring portion and having an exterior friction surface for engaging the inner Wall of the hose to anchor the expansible element While the nipple is draW'n outwardly therethrough, and an router member. adapted for engagement over the end of the hose for confining the same and having threaded en,- gagement with the outer end of said nipple, whereby turning of the nipple in the outer member and in the hose end moves the nipple outwardly through the expansible element and expands the same against the inner wall of the hose for binding the latter with a wedging and outwardly compressing movement in said outer member.

5. A detachable hose coupling, comprising an outer member adapted to t over the end of a hose, an inner member threaded in the out'er end of the outer member and adapted for insertion into the end of a hose and having ,a shouldered inner end, and expanding means rotatably carried on the inner member for contact with the inner Wall of the hose, said inner member adapted to be turned in the outer member to advance the inner member outwardly to engage the shoulder of the inner member against the expanding means, and adapted to be further advanced outwardly for wedging and compressing the hose into the outer member.

6. A releasable internally expanding hose coupling, comprising a nipple for insertion intoi the end of a hose, an'external sleeve for engagement over and against the end of the hose and having a relatively axially movable connection with the nipple, said sleeve having its inner wall flaring rearwardly, and expanding means carried by said nipple for engagement against the inner wall of the hose and operable by the axial movement of the nipple in the sleeve and the hose to expand the hose and bind the same against the flaring inner wall of said sleeve.

'7. A detachable hose coupling, comprising a nut for engagement over the end of a hose and having an abutting shoulder to engage the extremity of the hose, said nut having an inner wall flaring outwardly from the shoulder and provided with a coarse spiral groove therein for engaging the outer surface portion of the hose to feed the nut thereover and hold the nut on the hose, a nipple for insertion in the end of the hose and threaded at its outer end in the outer end of the nut and adapted to be turned therein and in the-'hose and to move the nipple outwardly, and clamping means carried by the nipple within the hose for contact against the inner Wall o1' the hose for binding the same in the nut and compressing. the end of the hose outwardly y against said abutment shoulder when the nipple is moved outwardly.

8. A releasable internally expanding'hose coupling, comprising a nipple for insertion in the end of a hose andhaving an outer threaded part, an intermediatesmooth cylindrical part and an inner aring conical part terminating in an annular stop shoulder, a split flat ring slidably mounted -`'on the intermediate part of the nipple and having an outer friction surface for engagement with the inner wall of the hose and for expanding the same upon axial movement of the nipple through the ring'to advance the conical part of the nipple into the ring, and an external sleeve for engagement over the end of the hose having a ribbed abutting shoulder facing the extremity of the -hose to engage the latter and having an inner wall flaring backwardly from the shoulder with a spiral groove therein to engage the outer surface portion of the hose and hold the sleeve thereon, said sleeve having a reduced spud at its outer end externally threaded for receiving a coupling element thereon and provided with internal threads for receiving the threaded portion of the nipple, said nipple having internal lugs. adjacent its outer end for receiving a tool to turn 1 the nipple in the sleeve and hose end for advancing the conical inner end into the splitV ring for expanding the same and the hose in the sleeve "with an outward thrust against said abutting shoulder and expanding and binding the hose end between the sleeve and its shoulder and the cylindrical portion of the nipple.

ALBERT J. SCHOLTES.

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